School spirit: Volusia County Schools celebrates the first day of class for 2025-2026

On student academic achievement, Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said, 'We are on that momentum and we will not stop.'

  • Ormond Beach Observer
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Volusia County Schools welcomed 56,508 students during the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 11.

As Superintendent Carmen Balgobin greeted the community during a press conference held at DeLand High School, she highlighted recent student and district successes — such as the district's first "A" grade since 2008 from the Florida Department of Education. Throughout the day, Balgobin and her team visited several schools, recognizing students' achievements.

"We're here gathered today to honor, truly honor, this spirit of what's called perseverance, collaboration and excellence, because those are the definitives that define Volusia County Public Schools," Balgobin said. 

Balgobin highlighted the district's 96% traditional high school graduation rate, as well as improved performance in seven of the 12 components evaluated in state assessments. These include English, math, science and social studies, in which Balgobin said student performance is the "best that it's ever been in over a decade."

Additionally, Balgobin said that every subgroup of students — such as Black, white, hispanic, students with disabilities, English language learners — all showed improvement in the state assessments. 

"It's said that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world, Balgobin said. "... These gains and the progress that our students and staff have shown through their dedication reflects that commitment, which is to ensure that every student has that power to succeed."

The district is also reporting a 5% decrease in chronic absenteeism, the first decrease since the COVID-19 pandemic.

For her tour of schools during the first day, Balgobin visted both Ormond Beach area high schools: Mainland and Seabreeze.

Both "A" schools. Mainland High reached this milestone for the first time for the 2024-2025 year. 

Mainland Principal Melissa Fraine, decked out in a bedazzled jacket spelling out her Buc Pride for the first day of school, said the entire school community is celebrating.

"It means everything," she said to Balgobin. "These kids are so proud." 

Seabreeze High School recently received a "A" grade for the second consecutive year.

Principal Tucker Harris said he was honored to be a small part of "a very big and special thing."

"Execution is where it happens and that execution takes place in the classrooms and the execution takes place up here with all the clerical staff ... it takes everyone to play their positions and play them at a high level," Harris said.

District-wide, 75% of all VCS schools are either an "A" or "B" school. 

"These are not just numbers," Balgobin said. "No. We celebrate academic achievement. We celebrate a community that believes in its children — that invests in their future and never stop stops thriving for excellence because every student in Volusia County deserves an excellent education."

Academic achievement as well as safety and security, the superintendent said, are two priorities for the upcoming school year.

"We are on that momentum and we will not stop," Balgobin said. 

 

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